Page 34 of Snowflakes and Sparks

“I’d love that,” I said.

We linked arms as we walked back to the car. The air was chilly. I shivered. I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to the cold, but it sure was beautiful up here. It had stopped snowing and the sky had cleared again. I looked up at the infinite amount of stars shining down on us. This kind of thing seemed impossible in L.A. There was always too much light around to get a clear view of the night sky.

“You’re going to find your magic, you know,” Addy said as we reached the car.

As we got in, I wondered if she was right, or if I’d already found it and was too stubborn to realize it. I guessed there was only one way of finding out: diving into the deep end, both eyes closed and bracing myself for impact.

Chapter Thirteen

With a busy and exciting day ahead, I got up earlier than usual so I wouldn’t have to stress about getting ready on time. Becca Loveheart was arriving and I wanted everything to be perfect. She was coming over later today to get familiarized with the setting and do a test reading of the story she was going to read for the Winter Walk. After that, she’d return to the inn until the big event tomorrow.

I’d spent the entire previous day prepping the store for the Winter Walk. Alex had told me that they had two hundred and fifty tickets every year, but most years only sold about a hundred. Even a hundred seemed like a lot to handle, but Alex promised that people wouldn’t come into the store all at once, as there were several stops and starting points along the way.

The coffee machine filled the house with that addictive coffee scent while I took a hot shower. I slipped on a knee-length dress and blow-dried my hair before heading to the kitchen. With a mug of hot coffee, I sat myself down at the table and looked outside to the snowy street. Sunlight filtered through the trees and made the snow look like it was infused with glitter. I could understand why people loved spending the holidays in Old Pine Cove. This kind of peace and quiet was hard to find in a big city.

My mobile phone came to life and I looked at the screen before answering.

“Morning, Kate.”

“Hi, Suzie. How’s everything going for the signing? Has Becca arrived yet? Or someone from the press?”

“Not yet, although the inn’s owner told me she arrived perfectly safe yesterday evening and they gave her their best room. I’m meeting Becca this afternoon to go over the details.”

“Good. Remember to give her everything she needs. Now, I have some good news for you. We might’ve found a candidate to take over the store. We still have to evaluate her further of course, but she looks solid on paper. She even lived in Old Pine Cove at one point. I guess you’ll be able to leave sometime next week and spend New Year’s in L.A.”

“Wow, really?”

“It’s great, right? I’ll keep you updated on any progress. We can’t wait to have you back here.”

“And the store manager position? Someone told me that the board insisted on having job interviews?”

“That’s true, but you’ve got some extra experience under your belt now. That’ll skew things in your favor for sure. Why don’t we discuss the details when you get back?”

“Sure, that sounds good to me.”

“Great. Have a fantastic day, Suzie.”

I hung up the phone and pressed my lips together. So it was official. Well, almost. I would be leaving this place next week and diving right back into my familiar L.A. life.

I fired off a message to Dean, telling him we’d be reunited soon, and he replied with a bunch of party emoticons. But for some reason, I couldn’t muster up the same enthusiasm. What was wrong with me? Why wasn’t I jumping for joy to get back to my life?

A knock on the door sent a sliver of panic through me. Was Becca here already? I checked the time on my phone. She wasn’t due to arrive for another five hours and I still had to prepare some things.

But instead of Becca, I found Alex standing before me.

“Morning,” he said.

“Morning, Alex. Come on in.”

“I won’t stay long,” he said, stepping inside. “I just wanted to ask if you’d like to help me pick up the snow globes from the factory later.”

“You want me to help you with those? I mean, I’d be happy to, but I don’t know if I’m the best choice of person to accompany you there.”

He laughed. “I won’t let you drive of course. These snow globes all need to arrive in one piece.”

“Aren’t you funny,” I said. “But yes, I’ll help.”

“Also, I wanted to give you this.” He handed me a copy ofOld Pine Cove Weekly. “It’s got a new article about you, only this time it’s positive.”

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